“The exceptional residential estate of Leonard and Louise Riggio will wow contemporary art aficionados, horticulturalists, and garden-design enthusiasts. The Dialogue will feature LaGuardia Design Group founder Chris LaGuardia and firm principal Daniel Thorp in conversation with the Riggios as they tour the grounds, which feature outstanding works of sculpture by Richard Serra and many other artists, with recent additions including a new earthwork, Lay of the Land, by Maya Lin. The LaGuardia Design Group has meticulously integrated the various tableaux into which the sculptures are set into a unified environment linked by discreet pathways. More than two dozen types of trees are strategically placed throughout the grounds. An open-air pavilion designed by Richard Gluckman looks out onto an enclosure designed in collaboration with Edwina von Gal with gingko trees and a pond, around which are arrayed works by Isamu Noguchi. Plant materials of various height and density help delineate distinct spaces throughout the garden while also providing privacy”

Butter Lane Residence

Montauk Beach House

Farmview Residence

LocationSagaponack, NY

Architect SLR Architects

ContractorsSummerhill Landscapes, Casual Water

Photo CreditsAnthony Crisafulli

Gibson Lane Residence

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and an active agricultural tract, the Gibson Lane Residence embodies the historical characteristics of Sagaponack. Choosing to develop a connection with the native fescue meadow that lies to the north of the parcel, the site design is oriented away from the ocean and, instead, focuses on a flowing native fescue meadow. Natural sandstone terraces and raised pool edge that reflect the clean lines of the architecture, disappear into drifts of fescue meadow, blurring the edges of the property and creating a connection to a ‘borrowed landscape’ beyond.

LocationSagaponack, NY

Project TeamChris LaGuardia, Ian Hanbach

ArchitectJames Merrell Architects

ContractorsWright & Company, Landscape Details, Binder Pools

ConsultantsABC Stone

Photo CreditsRaimond Koch

DANIELS LANE RESIDENCE

This original, Norman Jaffe designed residence, situated between a Sagaponack potato field and an oceanfront shoreline, is a minimalist natural environment set within the dunes. Rolling red fescue meadows connect the flat farm fields and the undulating dunes. The meadows hide the driveway and maintain the open views of land and sky. To generate the tremendous amount of fill required to recreate the dunes, a new pond was excavated and then naturalized with emergent and submergent vegetation. Sweeping masses of native vegetation were used to create a cohesive landscape that blurs the boundaries of the man made and natural environments.

LocationSagaponack, NY

Project TeamChris LaGuardia, Ian Hanbach, Daniel Thorp, Alex Bluedorn

ArchitectNorman Jaffe, Christian Sabella Rosa

ContractorsKiwi Construction, Peconic Lawn & Tree Care

Photo CreditsJeff Heatley, Eva Cocco, Erika Shank

Shelter Island Residence

From the very beginning of the site planning process, Shelter Island Residence was a true collaboration of architecture and landscape. Driven by strict flood zone requirements, the proposed house and swimming pool were elevated a full story above existing grades. Working closely with the architect, a master plan was conceived that seamlessly grounded the elevated floorplan within the surrounding landscape. In keeping with the architecture, the exterior terraces and walls were treated with the same stone as the building’s foundation. This produced a monolithic and sculptural quality, reinforcing the relationship between structure and land. An infinity edge pool was designed to draw in water views and also reflect the surrounding trees and sky. Located on the Shelter Island Sound, the site’s environmental sensitivities were honored through the use of impervious surfaces and an underground cistern, which captures rain water for irrigating the gardens. Limited lawn area and a native plant palette further reduce the impact of development.

Tuckahoe Residence

The Tuckahoe Residence is based on the classical design concepts of symmetry and formality. The ‘Tapis Vert’, French inspired lawn panel, is the central organizational element.Formal gardens are defined by boxwood parterres, flowering espalier and fragrant beds of lavender and other flowering annuals and perennials. A natural meadow serves as a visual and physical connection to a pristine wetland environment that lies beyond the edges of the property.

Flying Point Residence

This award winning, 3-acre property is uniquely situated between a tranquil bay and turbulent ocean. The design is clean and simple, yet refined and full of detail. Multiple French limestone terraces frame views in all directions and seamlessly tie into the surrounding landscape. The use of water at the vanishing edge pool serves a dual purpose, both referencing the bays tranquility and the kinetic sound of the ocean. Native vegetation serves as a unifying element, connecting spaces and integrating architecture and landscape.

Actors Colony

Actor’s Colony, located on the peninsula of North Haven, NY, combines three adjacent properties into one waterfront compound. Anchored by the main house, known as Strongheart and originally built in 1902, the 6-acre landscape is linked together by a series of formal outdoor garden spaces designed for both leisure and entertainment.

Deerfield Residence

A former potato field, the Deerfield Residence is now an active illustration of the natural succession responsible for creating the upland forest landscape that presides of the southern border of the site. Utilizing a clean and understated aesthetic, the exposed aggregate terraces and sculptural rim flow pool strike a counterpoint against the flowing fescue meadow that dominates the property. Masses of native trees and shrubs have established through natural succession, accenting the sweeping expanse of the meadow. Clipped hedges enclose formal gathering spaces, acting as bridges between natural and formal spaces. The result of this successional approach is a landscape the continues to grow and evolve, responding to natural systems in exciting and unanticipated ways.

North Haven Residence

The North Haven residence illustrates how a formal landscape can reflect its natural surroundings, while still maintaining a high level of refinement. Stone walls built out of local field stone integrate the architecture and landscape into the forest setting, limiting disturbance and preserving the mature trees that define the property. Boxwoods and perennials are deftly mixed with dogwoods and oak trees to create a unified planting palette that introduces native influences to typically formal concepts. The result is a landscape with heightened level of design and detail, that also embodies the natural beauty of the site.

Gin Lane Residence

Gin Lane Residence is located on one of the nation’s most historic, oceanfront streets. With the house in need of a large-scale renovation, an opportunity developed to re-design the property’s overgrown and outdated landscape. In keeping with the owner’s request for an active landscape inspired by a contemporary aesthetic, the master plan incorporates a golf complex and sunken tennis court, as well as a rim-flow pool and spa on the ocean side of the house. A new boardwalk bridges the main living areas and Atlantic Ocean to the south. At the front entrance, a formal courtyard planted with small crape myrtle trees serves as a veil for the building’s two story elevation.

Sagaponack Residence

The Sagaponack Residence is a modern interpretation of a classical palladian villa. As such, the landscape is an extension of that reinvention, characterized by formalized spaces and an undeniable link to a natural setting. Granite walls, limestone terraces and lush plantings define transitional courtyards that connect the main residence with exterior gathering and recreation spaces. However, the structure of these courtyards ultimately give way to a expansive views to the diverse maritime landscape beyond the property borders. It’s through experiencing this sequence of defined spaces, that the natural beauty of the site is ultimately presented and appreciated.

Buell Lane Residence

Centered around a 1-acre oval lawn and connected by a long allee of Hydrangea trees, Buell Lane merges two adjacent properties by creating both private and public park-like spaces. The ‘oval’ was inspired by the owner’s active family and love for hosting large outdoor events throughout the summer season. As garden enthusiasts, the owners also requested a landscape filled with interest for all four seasons, so evergreen boxwoods and holly hedges were mixed with flowering groundcovers and many different varieties of Hydrangea. As one moves from the central oval to the main house, the landscape becomes more intimate in scale. This transition is pronounced by a subtle lift in topography and the use of parterre gardens to enclose small courtyards. These more refined spaces around the main house offset the openness of the oval and bring a sense of privacy to the family.

Head of Pond Residence

In collaboration with the owner, an award-winning interior designer, the master plan for Head of Pond Residence was an exploration of outdoor living within the garden. Whimsical blue gates, designed to match the existing entry door to the house, lead down into an outdoor pool and living area paved with irregular flagstone and furnished with sofas and a dining room table. The swimming pool coping knits into the surrounding paving pattern to form one seamless surface, as each area flows into the next. Adjacent to the end of the pool is a spa and waterfall for private relaxation. Mowed lawn paths circulate the remaining property, winding through a dwarf fruit tree orchard and woodland garden, eventually leading to a hidden outdoor shower and changing area.

Sagaponack Garden

For the design of Sagaponack Garden, the landscape architect was commissioned to develop an outdoor setting inspired by the Amanyara Resort in Turks and Caicos. A careful study of the resort revealed a rich color palette of neutral beige and white mixed with natural woods and deep green vegetation. The plant material was selected to withstand the salty, maritime environment and designed to create inter-connected spaces within the garden. Natural wood trellises shade both an outdoor living room and separate dining terrace. A negative edge swimming pool and separate, circular spa are organized along a central walkway, which leads to a private sauna and changing area. The spaces within Sagaponack garden are comfortable in scale for two or twenty people and detailed with a focus on luxury and relaxation.

Holly Lane Residence

A setting for many exquisite pieces of art, the Holly Lane Residence landscape has a sculptural quality, which ultimately serves as both accent and backdrop. Referencing minimalist sculptures by Masatoshi Izumi, Tony Cragg, John Chamberlain and many others, the grounds are defined by clean lines, monolithic forms and natural materials. Natural french limestone terraces, a mirror like vanishing edge pool and architectural grading become artistic expressions within the landscape. Gardens are punctuated by trees and shrubs, meticulously trained and pruned into architectural forms, referencing the artwork they display.

Fairwind Residence

In Collaboration with Edwina von Gal Landscape Design, This six acres property contains carefully organized garden spaces set into a park-like setting. Many large trees (with trunks up to 36” in diameter) were relocated on site to accommodate a new residence, guest house, and swimming pool. The site is organized along two main axial lines that extend from the house and guest house. The axes cross at a circular reflecting pool surrounded by Kousa dogwoods and a tea house. Other spaces on the property include the Hydrangea Walk, Heirloom Apple Orchard, Woodland Garden, Cutting Garden, Birch Grove, Privet Allée, and the David Dawn Rose Arbor. Together the various garden rooms provide a multitude of experiences.